LABOUR has finally revealed its Shipley candidate, as it defies attempts to forge a 'progressive alliance' in a bid to unseat controversial Tory incumbent Philip Davies.

Lecturer Steve Clapcote, who was beaten convincingly by Mr Davies in 2015, has been chosen once again to contest the seat for the Labour Party.

The constituency is already lined up to host one of the most dramatic showdowns of the General Election.

Women's Equality Party leader Sophie Walker announced last month that she was standing against Mr Davies, saying his "track record of misogyny should have no place in Parliament".

Mr Davies, who has denied accusations of sexism, in turn branded her challenge a "publicity stunt".

Shortly afterwards, the Green Party said it had accepted a request by the Women's Equality Party not to field a candidate, and threw its backing behind Ms Walker.

Co-leader of the Green Party, Caroline Lucas said: “Under the Conservative government – the one Mr Davies has supported – we have seen the biggest rise in inequality since Margaret Thatcher was prime minister. Sophie has pledged to stand on an agenda that many Green Party members and supporters will agree with.

“She is also committed to a fair voting system, to campaigning to undo the privatisation of our NHS and to protecting the local environment, such as by opposing the plans to build an incinerator in Keighley.”

Bradford Green Party called on Labour and the Liberal Democrats to follow suit and endorse Ms Walker too.

But at the time, a Labour spokesman said the party "don't do deals" and local members voiced fears that the Women's Equality Party would split the Labour vote, strengthening Mr Davies' position.

The Liberal Democrats had considered a request to stand aside in favour of the Women's Equality Party, but in the end resisted this call, instead fielding Caroline Jones as a candidate.